Halo: Reach Maps - Introduction

Online multiplayer shooters live or die by the quality of their map design just as much as by the quality of the gameplay, and the Halo series is no different. Fortunately, Bungie have spent the last decade honing the art of creating fantastically memorable, supremely balanced and down right enjoyable multiplayer maps to a point where Halo: Reach stands as a lasting testament to their skills. In this chapter of our Halo: Reach multiplayer guide, we'll take a look at all the new Halo: Reach maps, go over their basics, note which playlists they can be found on and what weapons you can expect to dominate your online opponents with.

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Boardwalk

Boardwalk is set in the city of New Alexandria, with some fantastic background views to distract you from the intense action. Centered around a large open space which tempts you to break cover for quick access to the various multiple levels of the map where the best weapons are stashed, Boardwalk is not only one of the most visually pleasing Halo multiplayer maps yet but also demands a high level of skill, tactical awareness and constant and clever movement. Keep your head about you, only dash out into the central concourse when necessary and make vigorous use of the Armor Lock and Drop Shield Abilities if caught out in the open.

Number Of Players:

4-12

Playlists:

Big Team Battles

Doubles Arena

Multi Team

Rumble Pit

Team Arena

Team Objective

Team Slayer

Notable Weapons:

Plasma Launcher

Rocket Launcher

Shotgun

Sniper Rifle

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Boneyard

Boneyard was featured in the Halo: Reach multiplayer beta, and is a large-scale map primarily suited to Invasion. The map itself is themed around a starship breakers yard with the UNSC Commonwealth being taken apart at the map's center, and other wrecked star cruisers are visible in the distance. With some decent sniping spots to be had on the frame of the ship itself, Boneyard encourages full deployment of the Jetpack Armor Ability, as well as serious vehicle use, especially the Ghost and Banshee. Straight deathmatch players may be less enthusiastic about this map, though.

Number Of Players:

8-16

Playlists:

Big Team Battles

Invasion

Multi Team

Notable Weapons:

Banshee

Ghost

Jetpack

Rocket Launcher

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Countdown

Based in the secret Sabre Launch facility, Countdown centers around an open launching pad area that's begging for some creative jetpacking, but the stealthier Halo multiplayer specialists will be drawn to the claustrophobic and disorientating maze of corridors surrounding it. Perfect for stalking your unsuspecting prey and taking them out with Halo: Reach's new Assassinations feature, as well as cunning use of the new Grenade Launcher. Of course, you could just blast your opponents in the face with the Tactical Shotgun.

Number Of Players:

4-12

Playlists:

Big Team Battles

Doubles Arena

Multi Team

Rumble Pit

Team Arena

Team Objective

Team Slayer

Notable Weapons:

Active Camo

Concussion Rifle

Energy Sword

Greande Launcher

Jetpack

Tactical Shotgun

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Powerhouse

Spiritual successor to Halo 3's High Ground, and a deserved favorite from the beta, Powerhouse is amongst the best of the new Halo: Reach maps on show. Great for small-scale gameplay and imaginative Armor Ability use, wild melee action can quickly develop out in the open while the subtler players hang back behind the many blind corners ready to dole out swift justice with the Shotgun. Encouraging full-on battle and cat-and-mouse games on the same map, Powerhouse is Bungie design at its very best.

Number Of Players:

2-8

Playlists:

Doubles Arena

Multi Team

Rumble Pit

Team Arena

Team Objective

Team Slayer

Notable Weapons:

Armor Lock

Focus Rifle

Gravity Hammer

Grenade Launcher

Jetpack

Rocket Launcher

Tactical Shotgun

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Reflection

Yes, the geometry underlying the map may be a spot-on recreation of Halo 2's Ivory Tower, but that map never looked as sumptuous as this. Showing off the stunning visual capabilities of Halo: Reach's new graphics engine, Reflection is one of the most beautiful multiplayer maps you're likely to see on this generation of console. When you mix in the fact that it still plays just as well as its predecessor, with the classic rush to the elevator to grab the sniper rifle and fast, intimate matches, Reflection is a worthy addition to the rollcall of Halo: Reach maps.

Number Of Players:

2-8

Playlists:

Doubles Arena

Multi Team

Rumble Pit

Team Arena

Team Objective

Team Slayer

Notable Weapons:

Energy Sword

Rocket Launcher

Sniper Rifle

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Spire

Another Invasion-centric Halo: Reach map, Spire is a wide-open landscape dominated by a towering Covenant Shield generator. Again, there are plenty of vehicles to get stuck into, including the brand-new Falcon, while the central Spire encourages multiple level gameplay. Note that this a reversed Invasion map - this time it's the Spartans in the role of the attackers. This map may well prove popular with larger clans in Big Team Battle, but will hold few charms for those who enjoy combat up close and personal.

Number Of Players:

8-16

Playlists:

Big Team Battles

Invasion

Multi Team

Notable Weapons:

Banshee

Falcon

Rocket Launcher

Sniper Rifle

Warthog

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Sword Base

Another star of the Halo: Reach beta, Sword Base is a map thematically very similar to Countdown - a central open area with lots of verticality that makes using the snazzy new Jetpacks irresistible... until you're sniped out of the air from one of the warren of corridors and walkways that criss-cross this map. Perfect for ambushing opponents with the new delayed explosion of the Individual Grenade Launcher, Sword Base is sure to become a firm favorite amongst the deathmatch purists in the Halo online community.

Number Of Players:

2-8

Playlists:

Doubles Arena

Multi Team

Rumble Pit

Team Arena

Team Objective

Team Slayer

Notable Weapons:

Energy Sword

Grenade Launcher

Jetpack

Needle Rifle

Plasma Launcher

Plasma Repeater

Sniper Rifle

Tactical Shotgun

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Zealot

Resembling a cross between Halo 2's classic Midship - especially in visual design - and the multi-layered fun of Halo 3's Construct, Zealot is set aboard a Covenant corvette, and the action revolves around three levels and a host of walkways and choke points. Favoring a constant switching between the accuracy of the DMR and general frag grenade spamming, Zealot plays just as well as its illustrious predecessors, and in many ways feels the most typically "Halo" of the Halo: Reach maps.

Number Of Players:

2-8

Playlists:

Doubles Arena

Multi Team

Rumble Pit

Team Arena

Team Objective

Team Slayer

Notable Weapons:

Armor Lock

Designated Marksman Rifle

Frag Grenades

Hologram

Needler

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Conclusion

Of course, the multiplayer maps that ship with Halo: Reach are only half the story. Although this is Bungie's Halo swansong, we're sure they have plenty of additional DLC maps still up their sleeve for future purchase, much as Halo 3's multiplayer was enriched by the likes of the Heroic and Legendary map-packs. Factor in the vastly souped-up map editing abilities in Halo: Reach's Forge World, which we'll be covering in a forthcoming guide, and Halo: Reach gamers will have a never-ending stream of maps in which to battle it out for the fate of the universe. And if that is not enough, Halo: Reach's Firefight Mode is packed with 8 maps off its own, especially tailored to the new Co-Op mode.

Ultimate Halo: Reach Multiplayer Guide

Bright Hub gives you all the info you need to dominate online with its Halo: Reach Multiplayer Guide, including comprehensive coverage of the new weapons, armor types, vehicles, game modes and Xbox Live Achievements in Bungie's blockbuster FPS Halo: Reach.